Eurail passes (also called Eurorail passes after the company that issues them) are the most economical way for tourists to see Europe by train.
To maximize the value of the various passes offered by Eurorail, travelers can take advantage of other discounts and incentives on travel and accommodations.
Get the Best Eurorail Pass, and Use it Wisely
There are many different kinds of Eurorail Passes. Prices vary by traveler type (single adult, youth, or member of a group), number of countries included, and length of trip. Determining the cheapest pass that covers all aspects of a proposed trip is the first step in getting the best deal.
Vacationers wanting to visit only one or two European countries, for example, would likely get the best value from a Select Pass or Regional Pass. But anyone traveling for more than two weeks should get a continuous Global Pass, which allows unlimited train trips in all Eurail countries.
Eurail Passes Good for Local and Urban Travel
Global Eurorail passes can be used to save money when making day trips. For instance, those visiting the museums of Florence may want to see some of the sites in surrounding Italian towns, such as Pisa, Lucca, or Siena, which are easily accessible by local trains.
In Germany, a Eurail pass allows free travel on S-Bahn trains. This feature can save money for travelers who wish to visit important sites outlying large cities, such as Dachau, just outside of Munich. It is also a handy way to save on travel within Munich and Berlin, as S-Bahn lines make stops within the core of those cities.
Similarly, Eurail pass holders get free, one-way travel on Paris's RER from Charles De Gaulle airport to Gare du Nord train station.
Eurail passes also grant free or discounted travel on certain ferries traveling within or between European countries. Ferries between Italy and Greece are especially handy for tourists, since not all Greece's neighbors are part of the Eurorail system.
Use Eurorail Passes to Save on Hotels
A number of hotels and hostels in Europe offer added discounts to Eurorail pass holders. For instance, HUSA hotels in Spain and HINI hostels in Northern Ireland both reduce their rates an additional 10% for travelers with Eurail passes.
Also, Eurorail passes can be used on overnight trains, which can save both time and money. A couchette in a sleeper car may only cost an extra ten or twenty euros for Eurail pass holders, allowing them to sleep through the journey between major cities for much less than the price of a budget hotel stay.
Even though they span two days, direct, overnight trains only count as one travel day – an added bonus for those with Eurail passes which allow only a limited number of trips.
A pass is essential for saving money on European train travel. But tourists should consider the additional savings on other modes of transport and accommodation if they want to get the best value from Eurorail passes.
Luke Arnott - Luke Arnott has a Master's Degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Western Ontario, where he is currently enrolled in the ...
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